Field Theory by Hadyn Green

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Field Theory: Just one point in it

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  • Kyle Matthews,

    I think it is bloody tasteless the way the NZRFU has taken the dead of WW1 and turned it into a marketing ploy for rugby.

    I believe he was the captain on the originals tour who played the French on the way back home - the first match between NZ and France. That might be more significant to his name being on the trophy than his war service.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Hmmm, Bastareaud hasn't made an actual complaint, no one appears to have witnessed the assault (at least, no one has come forward) and their doesn't appear to be any CCTV footage of said assault. He didn't see his attackers properly, can't give any descriptions and has returned to France making no further comment.

    I smell bullshit.

    Well, Tom, perhaps that's exactly the kind of stuff he wanted to avoid. Just saying. When I was living in the Palmerston North, the only reason my flatmates and I bothered calling the Police the third time our flat got burgled was to satisfy the landlord's insurance company. Otherwise, it was hardly worth the bother -- doesn't mean it didn't happen.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Well here's your team for Italy:
    1. Wyatt Crockett
    2. Keven Mealamu
    3. John Afoa
    4. Brad Thorn
    5. Ali Williams
    6. Jerome Kaino
    7. Tanerau Latimer
    8. Kieran Read
    9. Brendon Leonard
    10. Luke McAlister
    11. Josevata Rokocoko
    12. Ma’a Nonu
    13. Isaia Toeava
    14. Lelia Masaga
    15. Mils Muliaina – captain

    Reserves:
    16. Aled de Malmanche
    17. Tony Woodcock
    18. Owen Franks
    19. Isaac Ross
    20. George Whitelock
    21. Piri Weepu
    22. Cory Jane

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Goodness, anyone else thing that Marc Hinton's struggling with the pressures of writing for a Daily? This piece is just silly; silly topic, ridiculous hyperbole and stupid connection with the elleged assualt of Bastareaud.

    Great to see Masaga get a start against Italy. I'd've like Weepu to start too...

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    gak, typos... sure it's comprehensible but...

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    This piece is just silly

    Nah that's a piece of biting satire on the state of NZ rugby journalism isn't it?

    Isn't it?

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    This piece is just silly

    136 comments!? I worry for this sport sometimes

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Mystery abounds!

    The protocols were changed in 2007, but never formally written down and not given out (I asked). The Dave Gallaher Cup is now contested over every test or series of tests between France and New Zealand, rather than a single challenge game.

    So when we head over in November, if we win, we get it back.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    Well that's disappointing.
    Although the whole "we never wrote them down bit" sounds a bit like "whoops, we forgot it was meant to be a single challenge game but nah sweet we'll just run with this"

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    136 comments!? I worry for this sport sometimes

    441 comments now. Disappointingly, most of them aren't "don't have you something important to do rather than write this article?"

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    441 comments now. Disappointingly, most of them aren't "don't have you something important to do rather than write this article?"

    Maybe Hinton's a more astute judge of what's important than I realised. Maybe he's unleashed some supressed frustration about our collective timidity that the public can deflect onto the mute ABs? But then again, who-the-fuck-cares?

    Incidentally, is Lauaki injured or just not selected?

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Naly D,

    Because my current location in Palmerston North prevented me from joining this delightful conversation, here's my responses.

    Well, yes, I am sure someone within the AB's camp is responsible for monitoring what is being said in the media.

    No, they pay me and my co-workers to do that, and we don't do any SKY programmes unless they pay extra.

    Also, interested in your categorisation of Roko's game as a great one? I thought he did rather poorly - handling off (as per but highlighted here) and just not up to the speed test in certain cases. Seeing that funny little French winger outrunning a Fijian had me rather perplexed. He was certainly involved plenty, but not always in a positive way?

    While I'll agree he wasn't as quick, he was very eager to try things. On defence he was solid, though a couple of times he was caught out-of-position after covering for someone else. The times he came off the wing and into the centres in a very Habana-esque fashion were fantastic.

    Also Bowden(?) who played 1st-5 for Otago last season and I think 2nd-5 this season for the Highlanders looked to have most of the goods.

    And is now off to Auckland, where he'll play no rugby for the Blues while Michael Fucking Witt takes the Highlanders and Otago starting possie.

    He's trying hard like he always does but as they pointed out, he hasn't scored a test try for the ABs since the game v Romania in 2007 (7 tests ago for him) and given he's in the side to score tries that must indicate something just isn't happening for him.

    How quickly we all forget his matchwinning try against Munster. [And although it wasn't a test in the dictionary sense of the word, tell me the All Blacks weren't tested].

    I think it is bloody tasteless the way the NZRFU has taken the dead of WW1 and turned it into a marketing ploy for rugby. I don't believe it stands for anything those poor bastards that died in that war "stood" for, unless one counts jingoism and misplaced European Imperialism as an equally positive trait to rank commercialisation.

    I thought it was in paying homeage to his captaincy of the 'Originals'? [whether they were the originals or the 1888 Natives team I'll leave it up to you to decide.]

    There a lots of wingers in NZ faster, fitter and smarter than Roco is right now.

    Same with Thorn, but I don't think anyone will be suggesting dropping him any time soon. Experience in the team is key right now.

    Yours and the handful of others I heard from. And Tracey's stats show that he was at least doing his job to fairly good extent.

    He still needs neon yellow headgear though.

    Wellington • Since Sep 2008 • 307 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    Naly D and HG:

    Roko has been awful this year. I'm not sure why you're ignoring that, but please watch a replay of Saturday's match.

    He's lost pace and his hands have deserted him. As has his confidence.

    And ignoring that is doing neither you nor him any favours.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    And don't compare him with Thorn, who is playing better now than ever before.

    His cover tackle, not to mention the lineout wins, won us the test.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    And don't compare him with Thorn, who is playing better now than ever before.

    I agree. I vividly recall standing quite close to the sidelines on the eve of NZ's game against Italy during the 2003 RWC (the game that Umaga injured his knee) and seeing Thorn beneath the posts (at the Melbourne dome or whatever it's called). He is/was a hugely impressive athlete and I think he proved his worth over the last season or two. He's now a first pick player I believe. I also think, save for his poor handling in a couple of situations, that Rokocoko's playing well too though I think Masaga could eclipse him...

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • ScottY,

    Incidentally, is Lauaki injured or just not selected?

    Playing for the Junior ABs at the moment. Just played against Japan.

    Things would be at a pretty low ebb to have him back though. That very topic was the subject of some heated debate on another thread a week or two ago, and I don't wish to go there again. (hang on, is that one of those paralipsis thingies Stephen talked about?)

    The Hinton article is plain embarrassing and makes me cringe. Why should we care what our players sing? And, let's be honest, our national song is a bit lame. If we have to sing something can't we spice it up a bit?

    I like what the Scots sing before their tests (yes, I know it's not their actual national anthem):

    O flower of Scotland
    When will we see
    Your like again
    That fought and died for
    Your wee bit hill and glen
    And stood against him
    Proud Edward's army
    And sent him homeward
    Tae think again

    Now that's a song I'd proudly stand up and sing.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    The reports of the Bastareaud incident have vague statements of 2-5 PI or Maori in an unprovoked assult on him.
    Now CCTV have 3 French players and 2 mystery girls entering their Hotel around 5am.
    Anyone else smell le rat?

    A bit of a South Park "some Puerto Rican guy"

    http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/153188

    Bastareaud is Butters

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    The reports of the Bastareaud incident have vague statements of 2-5 PI or Maori in an unprovoked assult on him.
    Now CCTV have 3 French players and 2 mystery girls entering their Hotel around 5am.
    Anyone else smell le rat?

    I don't get it

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Roko has been awful this year. I'm not sure why you're ignoring that, but please watch a replay of Saturday's match.

    Good that Masaga is getting a go. I would have been keen for them to try Ranger as a one off for the Italy game in the place of Joe. He looked really good in a super 14 match that I saw. Wouldn't hurt to bring him up for a bit of All Black experience.

    Also, can the NZRU update some web pages?

    Please note: The Junior All Blacks are not playing any matches in the 2008 season.

    How useful to know!

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Good that Masaga is getting a go. I would have been keen for them to try Ranger as a one off for the Italy game in the place of Joe. He looked really good in a super 14 match that I saw. Wouldn't hurt to bring him up for a bit of All Black experience.

    I'd certainly have had Ranger in there ahead of Masaga. His skill level and reading of the game are streets ahead.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Now that's a song I'd proudly stand up and sing.

    Hell yes. It's my favourite pre-game "anthem".

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Megan Wegan,

    Also, can the NZRU update some web pages?

    Kyle, if you are after info on the pacific Nations, have a look here. Good to see the Junior AB's have a big win yesterday.

    He looked really good in a super 14 match that I saw.

    Possibly the selectors, like me, are bored of the Super 14, and only tuned in for the final?

    Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Actually there are other pages on the All Blacks web site that are quite up to date, including the ones about the Pacific Nations results. That whole page was clearly last touched a year ago, and given that it's a top menu link off the front page, you'd think they'd be a bit snappier.

    Also, good opinion piece on why this weekend's game should have been played during the day (Tony Smith, The Press).

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Also, good opinion piece on why this weekend's game should have been played during the day (Tony Smith, The Press).

    As mentioned there was some discussion on this, however, "test matches must be played at night". Le sigh (or in Italian, La sigh [and lots of hand gesturing])

    I would rather Italy came and played Canterbury in Christchurch then maybe a game against BoP or Hawkes' Bay, then play the All Blacks in Auckland or Wellington.

    They get more rugby experience. We sell a boatload more tickets. And can we figure out some nice revenue sharing deals to encourage teams like that to tour more?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    I would rather Italy came and played Canterbury in Christchurch then maybe a game against BoP or Hawkes' Bay, then play the All Blacks in Auckland or Wellington

    Not sure that approach would please the Australians too much.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

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